Tottenham and Arsenal are just two teams chasing the signature of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Competition is incredibly fierce for the highly-rated 25-year-old, however, with Manchester United and Liverpool also vying for his signature.
Both Antonio Conte and Mikel Arteta are understandably eager to strengthen their respective midfields with the area a weak spot for both the Gunners and Spurs.
Kessie has even turned down a new contract offer at the San Siro this season so a move away in the summer looks like a certainty, even if he did claim to want to stay in Milan before the start of the current campaign.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Kessie said: "I'm proud to have chosen Milan and it is not my intention to leave. On the contrary, I want to stay forever.
“It’s all about the [Olympic] Games now, but when I return to Milan I will fix everything. I only want Milan, [Paolo] Maldini and [Fredeeric] Massara know my thoughts.
“I like it so much when the ultras sing ‘a President, there is only a President ... '. Well, I want to be one for life. At least in football.”
He had a moment to forget for his national team during the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, however, when Ivory Coast clashed with Sierra Leone in Group E.
With the score still 0-0, Les Éléphants were awarded a penalty, and Kessie was the man to step up. However, his stuttering run-up did little to fool Mohamed Kamara, who saved the spot-kick with ease.
The game ended in a 2-2 draw with Sierra Leone grabbing a 93rd minute equaliser.
While the incident is likely to do little to put off any of his chasers, it may make them think twice about putting him on penalty duty.
